Degree Planner for the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry

Undergraduate Advisement (Major Code 023)
Updated Spring 2014

Requirements for chemistry majors include the course requirements of the Chemistry Department and
College Residency Requirements. Requirements for the B.A. degree are presented. You should meet with your major adviser at least once
every other semester to review your progress. Please print this page or the pdf and bring it with you
when you see the departmental adviser.

Writing-intensive Requirement

Chemistry majors must take a writing-intensive course (denoted by *) in an area relevant to the major.

Residency Requirement

Fifteen credits in advanced chemistry courses must be earned at Brooklyn College with a grade of C- or better.

General Information

Information on careers in chemistry is available at the Chemistry Department office (359
Ingersoll Hall Extension); ask the secretary for permission to look at the file. Some information is also available on the departmental
website.

Chemistry Advisement

The undergraduate advisor is Associate Professor Maria Contel.
Students interested in declaring a chemistry major or minor, or discussing chemistry graduate schools are strongly
urged to meet with her as soon as possible to plan their course of study. Please contact her by e-mail and include
your CUNYFirst EMPLID number.

Courses of Study

Students interested in medical or other professional careers are generally advised to take the
bachelor of arts degree, which is excellent scientific preparation for those careers but leaves time to pursue
additional course work in biology and extracurricular activities necessary to prepare for professional programs.
Students interested in teaching at the high school level after graduation should contact the department about the
bachelor of arts: chemistry teacher degree.

Preprofessional Advisement

The campus pre-professional adviser is Dr. Steven Silbering. Students interested in medical or other professional schools are strongly urged to
speak to him as soon as possible to plan their course of study.

Research Experience

Students may obtain research work in any laboratory that agrees to host them, and may
begin at any time. Students are encouraged to look for mentors on campus and at the many medical and research
institutions around New York City. Some institutions offer paid summer research internships in which students live
and work on site for eight to 10 weeks, such as the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates
program. The Chemistry Department maintains a file on such opportunities; inquire at the chemistry office.

Those seeking academic credit for research within the Department of Chemistry should register either for
the CHEM 5010 – 5030 (2 credits) or CHEM 5110 – 5130 series (3 credits, honors). CHEM 5110 – 5130 require a
GPA of 3.20 or better within the major to register. Students seeking to register for these courses must work with a
Chemistry Department faculty member; those working with faculty outside the department should register for an
independent study course in that program.

The format for CHEM 5010 and 5110 is very much the same. Prospective students should find a faculty
member whose work interests them; a list of faculty and their research interests is available on the Brooklyn College
website. Once students have found a mentor, they should contact the faculty member to discuss possibilities. If the
student and mentor agree on a project and a set of expectations, the mentor will grant the student permission to
register for the course.

Research requires time, and students should be sure they can follow through on their commitment before
registering for credit. Students may choose to work in a lab without registering for a course, provided the mentor
allows it. However, a student working in that position is still obligated to meet the mentor's expectations and
should communicate openly about possible problems with time or scheduling and work with the mentor to resolve
them.

Residency Requirement

Only chemistry courses taken at Brooklyn College can be used to meet the 15-credit
residency requirement. Course taken elsewhere or in other departments cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

Degree Audit

At the end of their junior year, students should go to the Office of the Registrar to request an official
Degree Audit. This represents a list of all requirements the student must fulfill in order to graduate and commits the college
to confer the degree once the specified work is completed. This is far superior to DegreeWorks (WebSIMS).

Departmental Honors

Students who graduate with a GPA of 3.50 or better within the Chemistry Department, and
have completed three or more credits in honors courses in chemistry are eligible for departmental honors. Honors
courses in chemistry include CHEM 5110 and 5120. Students who believe they may be eligible for honors
should contact the departmental adviser during their senior year.

Graduating

Throughout your college career, come to see your undergraduate adviser at least once a year, and
more often if you have questions. Bring this schedule with you to save time.
At the end of your junior year, request a Degree Audit (see above) to ensure a timely graduation.
Do not leave ABS or INC grades unresolved: If you receive an ABS or an INC grade, work with the appropriate
department to resolve it quickly. Check your transcript periodically to make sure it is cleared. Your graduation can
be delayed by pending ABS and INC grades.

Job Hunting

Good opportunities exist for chemists, both at the bachelor's level and for those with higher degrees.
The department has a folder on such opportunities in 359 Ingersoll Hall Extension. Students should also go to the Magner Career Center for
advice on job-seeking and other issues, such as résumé writing and dressing for success.